How Catholic sisters made silk robes for the Pope

Catholic sisters worked non-stop today to prepare colourful silk robes for the visit of Pope Francis to Thailand.

The Catholic mission of Bangkok has been tasked with preparing 200 stunning white, gold and red vestments to be worn by Pope Francis and accompanying bishops.

Beautiful silk has been sourced from the country’s renowned Jim Thomson house, former home of American textiles merchant who disappeared mysteriously in 1967, and which is now a leading silk supplier.

Video from the Sacred Heart Convent school shows nuns and tailors working tirelessly to finish silk robes in time for the Pope’s arrival on November 20.

Sister Sukanya Sukchai, who has been working every day from sunrise until 6pm on the robes, said that she felt blessed and honoured to make them.

She said: “It’s an honour for me to be responsible for providing the The Thai silkrobes that the Pope will wear in the sacred ceremony. Integrating Thai characteristics Christianity and presenting them for millions of people around the world to see is extraordinary, a true blessing.

“The robes will be unique because they will have a Kanok pattern that represents Thai arts. We cannot wait to meet The Pope and welcome him with the robes.”

The robes have been embroidered with the unique Thai motif ‘Kanok’ pattern which appears in every temple and palaces.

The Pope will wear a gold and white robe on the Holy mass at the city’s National Stadium before wearing the gold and red one the following day at the Holy mass for youth at Assumption church.

The Pope’s Catholic bishops will wear 120 robes on the first mass and the other 76 on the second mass.

Pope Francis is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. His visit to Thailand will last from November 20 to November 23, when he will fly to Tokyo in Japan.

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